Soccer-'Very much alive' - Costa Rica kept the faith, says coach

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group E - Japan v Costa Rica - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 27, 2022 Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez with players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

AL RAYYAN, Qatar (Reuters) - Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez said they were not dead following the hammering by Spain in their opening World Cup match, and they are still very much alive after their last-gasp victory over Japan on Sunday.

Costa Rica claimed a surprise 1-0 victory in Group E at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, putting a huge dent in Japan's hopes of reaching the last 16.